eSIM vs Local SIM: The Best Way to Stay Connected While Traveling

You land in a foreign country, step off the plane, and immediately need your phone. You need Google Maps to navigate to your hotel, a translation app to read the signs, a messaging app to tell someone you arrived safely, and a ride-hailing app to avoid the taxi scam everyone warned you about.

Without data connectivity, your smartphone is a very expensive camera. This guide covers every option for staying connected abroad — eSIMs, local SIM cards, pocket WiFi, and international roaming — with honest cost comparisons, setup instructions, and recommendations based on how you travel.

The Four Options at a Glance

Option	Setup Effort	Cost	Data Quality	Best For
eSIM	Low (before trip)	$$	Good to Excellent	Most travelers
Local SIM	Medium (at destination)	$	Excellent	Budget travelers, long stays
Pocket WiFi	Medium (rent/pickup)	$$$	Good	Groups, laptop-dependent travelers
International Roaming	None	$$$$	Good	Short trips, convenience-first travelers

eSIM: The Modern Default

An eSIM is a digital SIM card built into your phone. Instead of inserting a physical chip, you download a data plan via a QR code or app, and your phone connects to local cell networks at your destination. You can set it up days before you travel and have data the moment you land.

Which Phones Support eSIM?

Most phones sold after 2020 support eSIM, but check your specific model:

• iPhone: iPhone XS and later (all models from 2018 onward)
• Samsung Galaxy: S20 and later, Z Flip/Fold series
• Google Pixel: Pixel 3a and later
• OnePlus: Limited models, check manufacturer
• Important: Your phone must be carrier-unlocked to use a third-party eSIM. If you bought your phone through a carrier on a payment plan, it may be locked. Contact your carrier to verify or request an unlock

Top eSIM Providers Compared

#### Airalo

Airalo is the largest eSIM marketplace with coverage in 200+ countries and regions.

• Pricing: Country-specific plans starting at $4.50 for 1GB/7 days. Regional plans (e.g., all of Europe) starting at $5 for 1GB/7 days. Global plans available
• Data allowance: Pay per GB. Plans range from 1GB to 20GB+
• Speed: 4G/LTE in most countries, 5G in select markets
• Hotspot/tethering: Supported on most plans
• Strengths: Widest country coverage, granular plan selection, frequent discounts, clean app
• Weaknesses: No unlimited plans. If you burn through your data, you buy another plan
• Best for: Travelers who want precise control over data costs and visit less-common destinations

#### Holafly

Holafly specializes in unlimited data eSIM plans.

• Pricing: Unlimited data plans starting around $6/day for 5 days, with per-day cost decreasing for longer durations (e.g., $47 for 15 days in Europe)
• Data allowance: Unlimited (truly unlimited — no throttling on most plans)
• Speed: 4G/LTE. Speed can vary by country and network congestion
• Hotspot/tethering: Not supported on most plans — data is for the eSIM device only
• Strengths: No data cap anxiety, simple flat pricing, good for heavy data users
• Weaknesses: No tethering, slightly higher cost for light users, fewer country options than Airalo
• Best for: Travelers who stream video, video call frequently, or simply don't want to think about data limits

#### Nomad

Nomad offers competitive pricing and strong regional plans.

• Pricing: Plans starting at $4 for 1GB/7 days. Regional plans for Europe, Asia, and other areas at strong rates
• Data allowance: Per-GB plans, typically 1GB to 10GB
• Speed: 4G/LTE
• Hotspot/tethering: Supported
• Strengths: Some of the lowest per-GB prices, clean interface, good customer support
• Weaknesses: Smaller provider, fewer country options than Airalo
• Best for: Budget-conscious travelers visiting popular destinations

How to Set Up an eSIM

1. Purchase a plan through your chosen provider's app or website (do this before your trip, ideally a day or two before departure)
2. Receive a QR code via email or in the app
3. Install the eSIM: On iPhone, go to Settings > Cellular > Add eSIM > Use QR Code. On Android, go to Settings > Network & Internet > SIMs > Add eSIM
4. Label the eSIM as "Travel" to distinguish it from your primary line
5. Configure your phone: Set your primary line for calls/texts and the eSIM for data. On iPhone: Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data > select your travel eSIM
6. Activate at your destination: Most eSIMs activate automatically when your phone connects to a local network. Some require manual activation through the provider's app

Pro tip: Install and configure the eSIM before you leave home, while you still have WiFi. Just don't activate data until you arrive, and your plan days won't start counting down.

Local SIM Cards: The Budget Champion

Buying a local SIM card at your destination has been the go-to strategy for budget travelers for decades, and it still offers the best value per GB in most countries.

How It Works

1. Find a mobile carrier shop or authorized reseller at the airport or in the city
2. Choose a prepaid plan (tourist SIMs are available in many countries)
3. The vendor inserts the SIM card into your phone and activates it
4. You get a local phone number with data, and often some call/text minutes

Cost Comparison by Region

Local SIM cards are dramatically cheaper than eSIMs in many developing countries:

• Thailand: 15-day tourist SIM with 30GB data for $8-12 (AIS, DTAC, or TrueMove)
• Vietnam: 30-day SIM with 60GB for $5-8 (Viettel, Mobifone)
• India: 28-day SIM with 1.5GB/day for $3-5 (Jio, Airtel)
• Turkey: 20GB for 30 days for about $10-15 (Turkcell, Vodafone)
• Japan: eSIMs are often better here — local SIMs exist but are less convenient for tourists
• Europe: Local SIMs are reasonably priced, but eSIMs are competitive due to EU roaming regulations

Pros of Local SIM Cards

• Cheapest option in most countries, especially in Asia, Africa, and Latin America
• Best network performance: You're on a major local carrier, not a reseller
• Local phone number: Useful for booking restaurants, ride-hailing apps, and local services that require a local number for verification
• Easy top-up: Add data via the carrier's app, at convenience stores, or at carrier shops

Cons of Local SIM Cards

• Requires a SIM-compatible, unlocked phone with a SIM tray (some newer phones are eSIM-only)
• Setup time at destination: You need to find a shop, wait in line, and deal with potential language barriers
• ID requirements: Many countries (Japan, India, Thailand, most of Europe) require a passport to purchase a SIM. Some countries have registration processes that take time
• You lose your home number: While the local SIM is active, your primary SIM is inactive (unless your phone supports dual SIM, which most modern phones do)
• SIM card management: You need a SIM removal tool and a safe place to store your home SIM

Pocket WiFi: The Group Solution

A pocket WiFi device (also called a mobile hotspot) is a small, battery-powered router that connects to the local cell network and creates a WiFi network your devices can join.

How to Get One

• Rent online before your trip from providers like Skyroam, TravelWiFi, or country-specific services (Japan's WiFi rental market is particularly mature)
• Pick up at the airport at your destination from rental counters
• Some hotels and tourism offices lend or rent them

When Pocket WiFi Makes Sense

• Groups: One device provides data for 5-10 people. Split the cost and everyone's connected
• Laptop users: If you need to work on a laptop that doesn't support eSIM or SIM cards, a pocket WiFi device provides connectivity without tethering from your phone
• Multiple devices: Tablets, e-readers, and other WiFi-only devices can connect

When to Skip It

• Solo travelers: An eSIM or local SIM is cheaper and eliminates carrying and charging another device
• Heavy data users: Pocket WiFi devices often have daily data caps (500MB-1GB/day on cheap plans) and can be slow when multiple devices are connected
• Active days: You have to carry it, keep it charged (battery life is typically 6-10 hours), and stay within range of it

Cost

Expect to pay $5-15/day depending on destination and data allowance. A 10-day rental for Japan might run $60-80 with unlimited data. This is reasonable for a group splitting the cost, expensive for a solo traveler.

International Roaming: The Lazy (Expensive) Option

Your existing carrier likely offers some form of international roaming. The convenience is unmatched — you don't do anything, and your phone works abroad. The cost, however, can be brutal.

US Carrier Roaming Breakdown

• T-Mobile (Magenta and above): Includes international texting and data in 215+ countries at no extra cost. Data speeds are limited to 2G (256kbps) on base plans — usable for messaging and maps but not video. High-speed data passes available for $5/day or $35 for 10GB
• AT&T International Day Pass: $12/day for unlimited talk, text, and data using your domestic plan in 210+ countries. Only charges on days you use it
• Verizon TravelPass: $10/day (for most countries) or $14/day (select countries). Uses your domestic plan allowance

When Roaming Makes Sense

• Trips under 3 days: The per-day cost is manageable for very short trips, and zero setup is required
• T-Mobile's free slow data: If you only need messaging and basic map loading, T-Mobile's included international data is adequate and free
• Backup: Keep roaming as a fallback in case your eSIM or local SIM has issues

When Roaming Doesn't Make Sense

• Trips over a week: AT&T's day pass at $12/day for a 14-day trip costs $168 — far more than any eSIM or local SIM option
• Heavy data use: Roaming data is often deprioritized or speed-limited, making video calls and streaming impractical
• Budget-conscious travel: Roaming is the most expensive connectivity option in virtually every scenario

Country-Specific Recommendations

Japan

Best option: eSIM (Ubigi or Airalo) or pocket WiFi rental. Local SIM cards exist but require in-store registration with your passport and can take time. Japan's WiFi rental market is excellent, with pickup and drop-off at all major airports.

Europe (Schengen Zone)

Best option: eSIM with a Europe regional plan. Thanks to EU roaming regulations, a single plan covers all EU/EEA countries. Airalo's Europe plan or Holafly's unlimited Europe plan are both strong choices. Local SIMs are an option but offer little advantage since eSIM regional plans already cover the entire zone.

Southeast Asia (Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Philippines)

Best option: Local SIM cards. They're absurdly cheap (often under $10 for a month of generous data), widely available at airports, and offer the best network speeds. If you're visiting multiple countries, an eSIM regional plan for Asia might be more convenient.

India

Best option: Local SIM (Jio or Airtel). Indian SIM cards offer incredible value — practically unlimited data for a few dollars per month. The registration process requires biometric verification (Aadhaar for residents, passport for tourists), which is done at carrier stores. Allow 30-60 minutes for setup.

United States (for inbound travelers)

Best option: eSIM (Airalo or T-Mobile eSIM). T-Mobile also sells prepaid tourist SIM cards at airport stores. Local SIMs from AT&T and T-Mobile prepaid are available at big-box retailers.

Practical Tips

Dual SIM Strategy

Most modern phones support dual SIM (one physical + one eSIM, or two eSIMs). The best setup:

• Keep your home SIM active for incoming calls and texts (especially for two-factor authentication)
• Set your travel eSIM as the data line for internet, maps, and apps
• Disable data roaming on your home SIM to avoid accidental roaming charges

On iPhone: Settings > Cellular > select your home line > turn off Data Roaming. Then set your travel eSIM as the Cellular Data line.

Download Offline Maps

Regardless of which connectivity option you choose, download offline maps for your destination in Google Maps or Apple Maps before you leave. This provides navigation even in dead zones, tunnels, and rural areas with no signal.

WiFi Calling

Enable WiFi calling on your home number before you travel. When connected to WiFi, you can make and receive calls on your home number without roaming charges. This works at hotels, cafes, and anywhere with WiFi.

Test Before You Rely

Whatever option you choose, test it thoroughly as soon as it's active. Load Google Maps, open a messaging app, try a web search. Don't wait until you desperately need navigation in an unfamiliar area to discover your data isn't working.

The Verdict

For most travelers in 2026, an eSIM is the right choice. The convenience of setting it up before you leave, having data the moment you land, and keeping your home SIM active simultaneously makes it the most practical option. Airalo for flexibility and coverage, Holafly for unlimited data simplicity.

Local SIM cards win on pure value, especially in Asia and developing countries, and are the best choice for stays longer than two weeks.

Pocket WiFi is worth considering only for groups or laptop-dependent travelers.

International roaming is a convenience tax. Use it for trips under three days or as a backup.

Stay connected, stay safe, and use tools like TripGenie to plan itineraries that account for connectivity needs — including offline-friendly activities for those stretches where even the best data plan can't reach.